Las Cruces bishop visits Hobbs parish amid pastor's charges

HOBBS, N.M. (AP) — Las Cruces Bishop Oscar Cantu has visited a southeastern New Mexico parish after its pastor was charged with criminal sexual contact. The Hobbs News-Sun reports Cantu celebrated the Saturday and Sunday's Masses days following news that St. Helena Catholic Church pastor Rev. Ricardo Bauza was facing charges. According to a 15-page criminal complaint filed last month, Bauza got into a shower with an adult male, and washed the victim's body with a loofah in the church rectory. The complaint says two male church members also told police Bauza showed them cell phone photos of his genitals. Cantu told parishioners he only became aware of the case last week when a News-Sun reporter called the diocese asking for a comment. He says Bauza is in a treatment center undergoing therapy.